Design of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for environmental and biological measurements for Internet of Things (IoT)

Abstract

Nowadays everyone knows what the Bluetooth technology is, but few people can really understand that Bluetooth is based on two different technologies. In this project, the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol will be explained together with how it is used very efficiently in mobile devices. With the explanation, the most important differences between Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth Classic (the other version of Bluetooth) will be understood, as well as, the newer versions of BLE with their new features and the improvements that they bring. Bluetooth Low Energy will be contextualized within the wireless low energy technologies environment considering the competition with other similar protocols. The main goal of this project is to explain deeply and with detail the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol and give the necessary information to be able to develop a simple implementation of this technology. Furthermore, this paper will cover how data is organized, information is transmitted and the benefits of using this technology for a sensor network. Next, the tools that are used for the CC1352R chip from Texas Instruments will be explained. There will be a step-by-step tutorial with the educational SimpleLink environment to develop a project from the start using the chip. With this basis it will be possible to make implementations of new projects and similar setups with some minor modifications. Afterwards, the device consumption will be measured and analyzed then the BLE range will be tested. In addition, a case for sensor communication will be designed that will take environmental and biological measurements. Finally, an application will be developed to show the measurements taken and that have been transmitted to the phone from the device using Bluetooth Low Energy.